Toward the Integration of Technology-Based Interventions in the Care Pathway for People with Dementia: A Cross-National Study

Vera Stara, Benjamin Vera, Daniel Bolliger, Susy Paolini, Michiel de Jong, Elisa Felici, Stephanie Koenderink, Lorena Rossi, Viviane Von Doellen and Mirko di Rosa
Additional contact information
Vera Stara: Models for Ageing Care and Technology, IRCCS INRCA-National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, 60124 Ancona, Italy
Benjamin Vera: iHome Lab, University of Applied Sciences & Arts, 6048 Lucerne, Switzerland
Daniel Bolliger: iHome Lab, University of Applied Sciences & Arts, 6048 Lucerne, Switzerland
Susy Paolini: Unit of Neurology, IRCCS INRCA-National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, 60124 Ancona, Italy
Michiel de Jong: Research Group IT Innovations in Healthcare, Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, 8017 Zwolle, The Netherlands
Elisa Felici: Models for Ageing Care and Technology, IRCCS INRCA-National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, 60124 Ancona, Italy
Stephanie Koenderink: De Parabol, 7433 Schalkhaar, The Netherlands
Lorena Rossi: Models for Ageing Care and Technology, IRCCS INRCA-National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, 60124 Ancona, Italy
Viviane Von Doellen: One More Project OMP SàRL-S, 7570 Mersch, Luxembourg
Mirko di Rosa: Unit of Geriatric Pharmacoepidemiology and Biostatistics, IRCCS INRCA-National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, 60124 Ancona, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 19, 1-18

Abstract: Background: The integration of technology-based interventions into health and care provision in our aging society is still a challenge especially in the care pathway for people with dementia. Objective: The study aims to: (1) identify which socio-demographic characteristics are independently associated with the use of the embodied conversational agent among subjects with dementia, (2) uncover patient cluster profiles based on these characteristics, and (3) discuss technology-based interventions challenges. Methods: A virtual agent was used for four weeks by 55 persons with dementia living in their home environment. Results: Participants evaluated the agent as easy-to-use and quickly learnable. They felt confident while using the system and expressed the willingness to use it frequently. Moreover, 21/55 of the patients perceived the virtual agent as a friend and assistant who they could feel close to and who would remind them of important things. Conclusions: Technology-based interventions require a significant effort, such as personalized features and patient-centered care pathways, to be effective. Therefore, this study enriches the open discussion on how such virtual agents must be evidence-based related and designed by multidisciplinary teams, following patient-centered care as well as user-centered design approaches.

Keywords: older adults with dementia; embodied conversational agent; virtual agent; user-centered design; technology-based intervention; personas; cluster analysis; care pathway (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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